[Auditory evoked potentials in addicts to organic solvent inhalation].

Organic solvents affect the membrane lipids of neurons and glial cell. This led us to search for auditory damage, by means of brainstem auditory evoked responses, in subjects with chronic inhalation of thinner. Waves III and V showed delayed latency at an intensity of 90 dB, and wave V was delayed at 70 and 30 dB; the interwave intervals I-III and I-V at 90 dB and the interpeak I-V at 70 dB were also retarded.

Pattern-visual evoked potentials in thinner abusers.

Organic solvents cause injury to lipids of neuronal and glial membranes. A well known characteristic of workers exposed to thinner is optic neuropathy. We decided to look for neurophysiologic signs of visual damage in patients identified as thinner abusers.